Bamboo, a super ecological crop
Indeed, bamboo is a plant, thus natural, and its cultivation is far from an ecological disaster.
If grandpa wanted a hedge to block out neighbor Michel, he probably would have been suggested bambo as it grows very fast, very well, and sometimes even a little too well...
It is known that traditional bamboo cultivation is even favorable to the environment. It requires on average 4 times less water than cotton cultivation, for example, and the roots grow back without needing to be replanted.
This plant requires no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and it produces a lot of oxygen, thus contributing to air regeneration.
Moreover, its cultivation, requiring an exotic environment, also allows many emerging countries to make it a real economic asset!
So far, so good, except for grandpa who just wanted to stop seeing Michel mowing his lawn in his underwear and finds himself in the middle of a tropical jungle...
Bamboo, a fiber with superpowers
Again, we cannot deny this argument.
Yes, bamboo fabric has many properties that make it an excellent fiber for textile design:
• Resistance and strength
• Breathable and absorbent
• Lightweight
• Naturally antibacterial
• Easy to care for, wrinkle-resistant
And that's when you think: but they've eaten too much bamboo at LiLiKiWI, why not use it if it's so great? Let us explain the downside:
Bamboo, a difficult fiber to process
If you've ever come across bamboo, you've probably noticed how strong it is.
This plant is actually used for building construction, floors, partitions, and not just in Asia!
By the way, tell grandpa, he could probably build a garden shed for Michel's mower.
This rigidity and strength are obstacles to its transformation into textile fiber.
Imagine the effort it takes to transform these bamboo trunks into delicate sponges to clean your babies' faces (or bottoms)...
Indeed, to become fabric, bamboo must go through a very long and very polluting process, let us tell you:
From bamboo to fabric: the journey of the miracle fiber
First, our bamboo fiber (even if sustainably grown) is reduced to powder by a mechanical process.
Then, a whole series of chemical processes follow to extract cellulose and thus obtain bamboo viscose (also called bamboo rayon):
- Dissolution in caustic soda to swell the cellulose and separate the fibers (possible water pollution).
- Addition of carbon disulfide to make the cellulose soluble (toxic solvent, harmful to human health and the environment)
- Dissolution of cellulose in sodium hydroxide to obtain a viscous liquid (viscose)
- Filtration of the viscose in a sulfuric acid bath to form continuous threads (strong acid, dangerous, harmful to human health and the environment)
All these chemical components are obviously not recyclable.
Furthermore, their production and use are responsible for significant pollution of the atmosphere and groundwater.
Not to mention that some of them are very controversial in terms of health. Notably carbon disulfide, which is considered an endocrine disruptor.
It is therefore far from organic farming and respect for health or the environment.
Bamboo, a victim of greenwashing
To conclude, as you will have understood, bamboo fabric is a false good idea!
Its softness and all its qualities have made this fiber the star of greenwashing textiles par excellence!
But the pretty ecological fairy tale ends at the edge of the bamboo field...
All this information explains why we have chosen to use cotton at LiLiKiWi.
Our wipes are made of GOTS-certified cotton, a label guaranteeing traceability and eco-responsibility throughout the production chain.
Particularly in textiles for children:
The GOTS label assures you that no product controversial for the health of your little ones has been used in the manufacturing process.
We will tell you a little more in a future article on textile labels and how to choose the right textile materials for your little ones!
For any questions, do not hesitate to write to us at coucou@lilikiwi.fr